Elderflower and Lemon Syrup – Summer in a Bottle

🌼 Summer scent in a bottle! ☀️ Last weekend, when we were returning from the sea, the road was full of blooming elderflower bushes. I couldn't resist the fragrance, so I stopped and picked the most beautiful flowers for the kids' favorite: extra-thick elderflower syrup with lemon! 🍋

This year I wanted a dense, silky version, almost like liquid honey, perfect for pancakes, ice cream, or diluted with sparkling water and ice. 🥞🍦

Here is my simple recipe that stores beautifully in the pantry:

🛒 Ingredients

• 20-25 large elderflower heads (clean and full of pollen)
• 2 kg sugar
• 1.2 liters water (less water = thicker syrup!)
• 3 large lemons (organic)
• 1 level teaspoon citric acid

👩‍🍳 Preparation

1. Infusion (24h): Shake the flowers to remove any insects (do not wash them so you don't lose the pollen). In a large container, place the elderflowers, 2 lemons sliced, and the juice of the third. Pour in the cold water, cover, and let it rest for 24 hours in a cool place.
2. Straining: Strain the liquid through a fine sieve and cheesecloth, squeezing the flowers well.
3. Boiling: Put the liquid into a pot with the sugar and citric acid. Simmer on low heat for 35-45 minutes until it thickens nicely.
4. Storing: Pour the hot syrup into sterilized bottles, seal tightly, and let them cool slowly under a blanket.

✨ Tip: Gather flowers from areas away from heavy traffic on sunny days, when they are the most aromatic!

What are you making from elderflower this year? Elderflower soda or syrup? Leave a comment! 🤍👇